25 Sep 2012

Hyundai is leasing fifteen zero-emission, hydrogen-powered ix35 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) to the Municipality of Copenhagen, supporting the Danish capital in its efforts to become carbon-free by 2025. The vehicles are to be delivered in spring 2013.

The deal is the first of its kind for the automaker. Denmark, a world leader in the use of renewable energy, has a comparatively well-developed hydrogen infrastructure, making it a perfect starting point for fleet rollout of Hyundai’s ix35 FCEV. The ix35 FCEV performs well in the Danish climate, with two test cars having logged 45,000 km on Danish roads in recent years.

The deployment of the ix35 FECV in Copenhagen’s municipal fleet is described as a win-win for both parties.

Hyundai has spent fourteen years and significant expense in research and development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. Its fuel cell programme was launched in 1998 with a roadmap targeting commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles by the end of 2012 and consumer sales by 2015. This is on track, with the current ix35 FCEV being the company’s commercial model which will go into full-scale production for 2015. It has the drivability of a conventional ix35 SUV and the durability to stand the rigors of daily use in public and private fleets. It requires only a few minutes to fill up with hydrogen, has a top speed of 160 km/hr and a range that is nearly equal to its petrol-powered cousin. Its only emission is water.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo has made the fuel cell programme a top priority for the company, leading its efforts to produce eco-friendly mobility solutions and be a responsible corporate citizen.